Thai court suspends reformist Pita as MP

A Move Forward Party supporter reacts after learning that party leader and prime minister candidate Pita Limjaroenrat was suspended outside the gates of the Thai Parliament in Bangkok on July 19, 2023. - AFP

BANGKOK (AFP): Thailand's Constitutional Court has suspended reformist prime minister candidate Pita Limjaroenrat while it hears a case that could see him disqualified as an MP, a statement said on Wednesday (July 19).

The court agreed to hear a case that centres on his ownership of shares in a media company that has not broadcast since 2007. MPs are prohibited under Thai law from owning stock in media companies.

Thailand's high court said it had voted 7-2 in favour of considering an Election Committee petition, saying Pita "must suspend his role from July 19, until the constitutional court has made the decision".

Under Thai law, Pita is still eligible to stand as a candidate for prime minister, but he must leave the lower house and will be unable to vote.